A fiber optic cable uses total internal reflection. What is the role of the clad
Practice Questions
Q1
A fiber optic cable uses total internal reflection. What is the role of the cladding?
To increase the refractive index.
To decrease the refractive index.
To prevent light loss.
To enhance light absorption.
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
A fiber optic cable uses total internal reflection. What is the role of the cladding?
Step 1: Understand that a fiber optic cable has two main parts: the core and the cladding.
Step 2: The core is the central part where light travels.
Step 3: The cladding surrounds the core and is made of a different material.
Step 4: The cladding has a lower refractive index than the core, which means it bends light less.
Step 5: When light travels from the core to the cladding, it hits the boundary at a certain angle.
Step 6: If the angle is steep enough, the light reflects back into the core instead of passing into the cladding.
Step 7: This reflection keeps the light inside the core, allowing it to travel long distances without escaping.
Total Internal Reflection – The phenomenon where light is completely reflected within a medium when it hits the boundary at a certain angle, due to a higher refractive index in the core compared to the cladding.
Refractive Index – A measure of how much light bends when entering a material; the cladding must have a lower refractive index than the core to facilitate total internal reflection.
Fiber Optic Structure – The design of fiber optic cables, consisting of a core and cladding, which allows for efficient light transmission.
